ot 


St.  John. 


Other   Poems. 


w 


FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


Section       )  TO// 


* 


The  Voice  of 


St.  John, 


AND 


Other  Poems. 


BY 


\VM.    WILBERFORCE   NEWTON, 

Author  of  "  Essays  of  To-day." 


NEW  YORK: 

ANSON     D.     F.     RANDOLPH    &    COMPANY, 

900  Broadway,  Cor.  20th  Strekt. 


COPYRIGHT,    l8Sl,    BY 

Anson  D.  F.  Randolph  &  Company. 


NEW    YORK: 


EDWARD    O.    JENKINS, 

Printer  and  Stereotyfier, 
20  North  William  St. 


ROBERT   RUTTER, 

Binder, 
nGand  118  East  14th  Street. 


CONTENTS. 


The  Voice  of  St.  John,  9 

The  Mirage, 33 

W<  'X  and  Widowed,                                         -  36 

The  Sphynx,     -------  40 

The  Island  Life,     - 43 

Reassurance, -46 

Creed  and  Hope, 48 

Christmas  Carol— I., 49 

Christmas  Carol— II., 51 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/stjohnothOOnewt 


Scene  : — St.  John  at  Ephesus,  on  the  last  Easter- 
day  of  his  life,  gathers  the  members  of  the  church 
together,  by  the  riverside,  and  tells  his  converts 
once  more,  the  story  of  the  first  Easter-day. 

"Little  children  ....  it  is  the  last  time." 

i  John  ii.  18. 


PREFACE. 


a  'iX  the  convent  of  Drontheim, 
Alone  in  her  chamber 
Knelt  Astrid  the  Abbess, 
At  midnight,  adoring, 
Beseeching,  entreating 
The  Virgin  and  Mother. 

11  She  heard  in  the  silence 
The  voice  of  one  speaking 
Without  in  the  darkness, 
In  gusts  of  the  night-wind, 
Now  louder,  now  nearer, 
Now  lost  in  the  distance. 

"  The  voice  of  a  stranger 
It  seemed  as  she  listened, 
Of  some  one  who  answered, 
Beseeching,  imploring, 
A  cry  from  afar  off 
She  could  not  distinguish. 
7 


PREFACE. 

"  The  voice  of  Saint  John, 
The  beloved  disciple, 
Who  wandered  and  waited 
The  Master's  appearance, 
Alone  in  the  darkness, 
Unsheltered  and  friendless." 

H.  \V.  Longfellow. 


THE  VOICE  OF  ST.  JOHN. 


ATHER  round  me,  little  children,  for  my 


& 


days  are  ebbing  fast, 
And    your  aged  friend  and  father  goeth   to  his 
home  at  last. 

Soon  the  oldest  of  Apostles,  white-haired,  worn, 

and  craving  rest, 
Called  by  God,  must  join  his  brethren,  saints  and 

martyrs,  saved  and  blest. 

Here,  beside  the  swift  Meander,  where  our  holy 

church  has  stood, 
Saints  cf  Ephesus,   I   bid  you  hold  the  faith  and 

seek  the  good. 

On   this   happy   Easter  morning,   you   have  sung 
your  hymns  of  praise, 

And  my  soul  is  filled  with  memories  of  those  far- 
off,  wondrous  days, 
9 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST   JOHN. 

When  we  hurried  in  the  morning,  hope  befogged 

with  clouds  of  gloom  ; 
Hoping  much,  but  fearing  most — the  silence  of 

the  sullen  tomb. 

Little  children !  sure,  1  feel  it — 'tis  the  last  time 

my  poor  breath 
Shall  relate  the  Easter  story — how  our  Lord  has 

conquered  death. 

Gather  round  me,  then,  and  listen  while  I  live  the 

past  once  more, 
And  recount  the  golden  hours  of  that  Easter-day 

of  yore. 


II. 

Gray  and  cold  was  the  dawn,  and  darkness  hung 

long  on  the  twilight, 
When  Mary,  the  loved  one  forgiven,  from  whom 

had  departed  the  devils, 
Limping  and  halt  as  she  was,  for  the  demons  had 

troubled  her  sorely, 

Tapped  at  the  lattice-door  of  the  house  of  my 

mother,  where  Mary, 
10 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

The  sister  of  Mary,  the  Virgin  and  wife  of  Clopas 
were  waiting. 

These  were  the  three  who  had  stood  by  the  blood- 
dripping  cross  of  the  Saviour, 

Theirs  were  the  hands  that  received  the  body  of 
Jesus,  when  Joseph 

Ascending  the  terrible  cross,  with  Nicodemus,  the 
ruler, 

Gently  lowered  the  sheet,  and  folded  the  arms  of 
the  victim. 

Bearing  the  agonized  mother  away  from  the  sight 

of  the  crosses, 
Giving  my  nrm  to  the  sufferer,  pierced  with   the 

sword  of  her  sorrows, 
Surely  fulfilling  the  word  which  Simeon  spake  in 

the  temple, 
Back   from    this    vision  of  death,  away  from  the 

shouts  of  the  soldiers, 
Wearied  and  stricken  and  worn,  I  was  sleeping  the 

sleep  of  the  troubled, 
Guarding  the  home  of  our  loved  one,  of  Mary,  the 

mother  of  Jesus, 
Hard  by  the  narrow  street,  that  led  up  to  the  for- 
tress of  Herod. 

n 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.    JOHN. 

Little  knew  I  of  the  plan  of  my  mother,  that  early 
by  daybreak 

The  women  should  go  to  the  tomb,  to  wait  for  the 
promised  deliverance. 

'Twas  Salome,  my  mother,  you  know,  Zebedee's 
wife  of  Gennesaret, 

Who  came  to  the  master  of  old,  and  asked  for  a 
place  in  the  kingdom, 

For  those  who  stood  nearest  her  heart,  as  she  gave 
up  her  all  to  the  Master, 

Leaving  her  home  in  the  north,  and  her  husband, 
the  fisherman  sailor; 

'Twas  Salome,  my  mother,  I  say,  who  prepared  for 
this  early  adventure, 

First  at  the  tomb  in  the  garden,  last  upon  Calva- 
ry's hill-top. 

Busy  were  they  in  the  work  of  preparing  the  spike- 
nard and  ointment, 

Hoping  and  fearing  by  turns  and  ready  for  joy  or 
for  sorrow. 

Thus  in  the  dark  of  the  morning,  before  the  first 
red  of  the  sunrise, 

Wrapping  their  mantles  about  them,  their  hurrying 
feet  sought  the  Garden. 

12 


TH1  fCE  OF  ST.  JOHN. 


III. 

But  hark !     Was  it  thunder  they  heard 
Rumbling  in  darkness  so  still  ? 
Stars  in  the  sky  seemed  to  fall, 
Soldiers  affrighted,  dismayed, 
Fled  from  the  tomb,  and  like  sheep 
Struck  by  the  fiery  bolts 
Of  an  eastern  simoon  in  the  sands 
Of  the  desert,  were  fleeing  away, 
Trembling,  the  sisters  advanced, 
Where  a  luminous  cloud  seemed  to  rest 
In  the  rocky  recess  of  the  tomb. 
Then  came  the  vision  of  light ! 
Angels  were  guarding  the  place ! 
The  stone  on  the  pathway  was  rolled, 
The  sepulchre  empty  and  bright, 
Gave  the  first  note  of  that  joy 
Which  to  Easter  must  always  belong, 
Telling  them  Christ  was  alive! 
Then  in  the  triumph  of  bliss, 
Quick  in  her  womanly  thought, 
Mary,  the  Magdalene,  fled, 

Leaving  her  comrades  behind, 

13 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

To  feast  on  the  fulness  of  faith 
Changed  to  the  richness  of  sight, 
While  the  red  sun  in  the  heavens 
Poured  forth  the  splendors  of  day  ! 
Never  had  sunrise  till  then 
Meant  such  a  flood  of  bright  hopes ; 
Never  had  light  till  this  morn 
Been  such  a  message  from  God  : 
Never  had  darkness  and  fear 
Lurking  within  the  cold  tomb 
Been  driven  away,  until  now. 

It  was  then  I  heard  hurrying  feet, 

And  the  latch  of  the  door  opened  wide, 

At  the  home  of  the  mother  of  Christ, 

Where  Simon  had  come  from  his  tears, 

Humbled  and  saddened  and  wan. 

'Twas  the  Magdalene.     Ere  she- could  speak, 

In  her  face  that  was  lighted  with  joy, 

The  message  of  triumph  I  read, 

As  she  clasped  her  pale  hands  and  exclaimed  : 


14 


THE   VOICE  OE  ST.   JO  JEW 


IV. 


The  Master  has  surely  arisen  ! 

Come,  visit  the  spot  where  He  lay. 
The  keepers  have  fled,  and  an  angel  has  said, 

"  Christ  is  risen,  is  risen  to-day." 

We  have  been  to  the  tomb  very  early, 
With  ointment  and  spikenard,  for  fear 

Our  hopes  should  deceive  us,  but,  brothers,  be- 
lieve us, 
The  angels  have  dried  every  tear. 

It  was  dark  when  we  came  to  the  garden, 
And  we  felt  for  the  latch,  as  the  gray 

Seemed  to  lighten,  our  footsteps  to  brighten 
And  herald  this  wonderful  day. 

Vet,  perchance  it  is  only  a  vision, 

1'crchance  I  am  dreaming  or  mad, 

But  they've  taken  away  our  dear  Lord  where  He 

lay, 

Run  quickly  !     Behold,  and  be  glad  ! 

15 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST   JOHN. 


V. 

Starting  away  like  ships  that  feel  the  breeze  on  the 

canvas, 
Simon  and   I   in  the  zeal  which  is  born  in   the 

moment  of  triumph ; 
Ran  through  the  city's  street,  till  we  came  to  the 

gate  of  the  Garden  : 
First  at  the  tomb  was  I,  while  Peter  came  panting 

behind  me, 
Weary  and  worn  as  he  was,  from  the  tears  of  his 

bitter  sorrow. 
Alone  we  stood  at  the  grave  which  was  silent  and 

robbed  of  its  inmate  ; 
No  vision   to  us  was  vouchsafed,  and   the  women 

had  gone  to  the  city. 
The  guard  from  the  fortress  had  fled,  to  carry  the 

story  to  Pilate. 
"  Where  were   the   angels,"  we  asked,  "  and    how 

should  we  know  what  the  truth  was  ?  " 
For  the  sun  was  climbing  the  heavens  and  mystery 

still  was  our  portion. 

'Tvvas  then  in  our  utter  amaze,  that  the  Magdalene 

following  behind  us, 
16 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

Came  to  the  open  tomb,  and   taking   her   resolute 

station, 
Said  she  would  watch  o'er  the  grave  till  she  saw  a 

new  vision  of  angels  : 
Firm  in   her   faith  was  she,  that  Jesus  was  surely 

arisen, 
And  trusting  her  future  to  God,  she  uttered  this 

song,  in  her  rapture  : 


VI. 

I  shall  behold  His  face 
And  triumph  in  His  love, 

I  yet  shall  see  His  love  for  me, 
God's  loving  care  above. 

I  may  not  see  His  ways, 
Or  know  His  secret  plan, 

Yet  I  can  wait  His  kingly  state 
And  feel  His  love  for  man. 

I  can  not  scan  God's  will. 

1  linger  here  in  faith. 
Yet  I  shall  see  His  love  to  me. 

I'll  trust  Him  unto  death. 
17 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST   JOHN. 

I  shall  behold  His  face, 
His  loving  form  shall  see. 

It  must  be  nigh  ;  I  can  but  sigh, 
Bring  me,  my  Lord,  to  Thee! 


VII. 

It  was  then  when  we  had  departed,  and  wended 
our  way  to  the  city, 

Seeking  the  other  apostles,  to  tell  them  these  won- 
derful rumors, 

That  Mary,  alone  in  the  Garden,  beholding  a  form 
drawing  near  her, 

Said  to  the  vineyard's  watch  (supposing  the  gar- 
dener was  coming), 

"  If  thou  hast  borne  Him  hence,  oh,  tell  me  where 
thou  hast  laid  Him, 

And  I  will  take  Him  away,  if  death  is  the  end  of 
my  vision. 

But  if  He  is  risen  indeed — "  Then  beholding  the 
face  of  the  stranger, 

To  the  earth,  as  one  dead,  she  fell;  while  Jesus 

said  to  her — "  Mary  !  " 

18 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOIIX. 


VIII. 

"  Rabboni,  my  Master,"  she  cried, 

11  Thy  feet,  O  my  God,  let  me  clasp  ! 

Am  I  treading  the  pavement  above 

Where  freedom  is  given  from  doubt? 

Am  I  lifted  to  light  that  is  bliss  ? 

Has  heaven  come  down  upon  earth 

Since  Christ  over  death  has  the  power?" 

Then  Jesus  to  Mary  replied; 

Her  face  in  her  mantle  shut  in, 

As  though  she  were  blinded  with  light : 

"  Touch  me  not  yet,  O  my  child, 

Not  yet  to  my  Father  in  heaven 

Bearing  the  sheaves  from  the  field, 

Bringing  the  first-fruits  of  life, 

Have  I  in  triumph  gone  up. 

Buf  go  to  my  brethren  and  say, 

Back  to  our  Father  and  God 

Soon  I  ascend ;  that  in  joy 

In  the  kingdom  that  lieth  beyond, 

We  for  all  ages  may  be 

Brethren,  united  in  life, 

Never  by  sorrow  undone  !  " 

19 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

IX. 

Gone  in  a  moment  was  Christ,- and  the  whispering 
breath  of  the  west  wind 

Fanned  the  penitent's  face  en  the  spot  where  her 
Lord  had  been  standing  : 

Leaving  the  Garden  again,  she  encountered  Salome 
and  Mary 

Just  by  the  brook,  in  the  way  that  leads  up  to  the 
fish-pond  of  Herod  : 

Warm  was  their  loving  embrace  while  the  Magda- 
lene sang  in  her  gladness  : 


X. 

Hail  to  the  brightness  which  heralds  His  glory ! 

Hail  to  the  coming  of  Christ  among  men  ! 
Back  from  the  tomb  He  has  come,  and  the  story 

Is  told  us  by  angels  again  and  again ! 

Death  is  uncrowned,  since  the  Saviour  of  mortals 

The  grave    and  destruction  has  robbed  of  their 

gloom  : 

Victory  shines  out  from  heaven's  opened  portals, 

Jesus  has  conquered  the  power  of  the  tomb. 

20 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.  JOIIX. 

Christ  is  arisen  !     0  sisters,  with  gladness, 

Bright  shines  this  Easter  morn,  bringing  Him 
near, 

Lovingly  owning  Him,  banishing  sadness, 
Hope  springs  eternal  o'er  darkness  and  fear. 


XL 

It  was  then  in  the  court  of  the  temple,  the  priests 

and  the  rulers  were  plotting, 
How  they  might  silence  the  tale  brought  back  by 

the  terrified  soldiers : 
11  They  have   stolen   His  body  away ;  say  this  to 

the  wondering  people." 
Such  was  the  word  of  the  rulers,  such  was   their 

meaning  of  Easter. 

Easter  noon  was   it  now,  when  a  party  of  loving 

disciples, 
Women,  with  spices  prepared,  to  lay  at  the  tomb 

of  the  prophet, 
From  Galilee  came,  and  inquired  the  way  to  the 

garden  of  Joseph. 
Thus  they  drew  near  to  the  cavern,  so  fern-crowned 

and  buried  in  mosses, 

21 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

Peering  within   at   the  place  where  they  thought 

they  should  see  the  Lord's  body. 
While  they  were  earnestly  gazing,  amazed  to  find 

nothing  but  grave-clothes, 
A  luminous  flame   seemed  to  shine,  and  lo,  the 

bright  forms  of  two  angels 
Told  them  that  Christ  was  alive,  as  they  chanted 

this  song  in  sweet  music  : 

XII. 

Awake  !    Awake  !    Glad  voices  make. 

Sing  praise  to  Christ  the  Lord, 

The  living  Word, 

In  earth  and  heaven 

Eternally  adored  ! 

For  thankful  songs 

From  hearts  and  tongues 

To  Christ  our  King  is  given 

From  hearts  of  men 

Set  free  again 

And  happy  saints  in  heaven. 

'Tis  Easter  morn,  new  faith  is  born, 
The  day  of  days  the  best. 

22 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.  JOHN. 

Sing  praise  to  God ! 

Sing  out  abroad, 

With  joy  and  hope  possessed ! 

For  now  the  Prince 

Of  Peace  hath  fought, 

And  triumphed  o'er  the  grave, 

With  holy  arm, 

And  strong  right  hand, 

Omnipotent  to  save. 

No  shadows  now,  our  spirits  bow, 

Our  souls  are  raised  on  high, 

The  Son  of  man 

In  God's  own  plan 

Has  come  to  earth  to  die. 

No  doubts  or  fear 

Could  hold  Him  here 

Detained  by  mortal  breath. 

For  now  He  lives 

And  freely  gives 

Redemption  over  death  ! 


23 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 


XIII. 

Frightened,  and  awe-struck,  and  still,  the  women 

from  Galilee  pondered 
What  this  strange  vision  should  mean,  ere  it  faded 

away  into  sunlight. 
Soon  to  their  wondering  souls  there  was  joined  the 

glad  spirit  of  Mary, 
Who  back  from  the  vineyard  returned  when  Jesus 

had  vanished  before  her. 
u  Come,  let  us  seek  the  disciples,  come,  let  us  tell 

the  glad  tidings." 
Cheerfully  thus  to  the  group  the  Magdalene  spoke, 

and  then  added  : 
"  Out  of  a  garden  man  wandered,  sin  entering  in 

by  a  woman : 
Back  to  an  Eden  restored  let  woman  recover  the 

doubting." 
Leading  the  way  to  the   city,  the  strangers  from 

Galilee  followed, 
Close  on  the  steps  of  their  guide,  as  she  knocked 

at  the  door-post  of  Simon — 

Simon  the  zealot,  I  mean,  where,  sitting  within   in 

the  darkness, 

24  4 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.  JOHN. 

The  scattered  disciples  were  found  engaged  with 

these  obstinate  rumors. 
Gladly  their  story  they  told,  but   how  could  the 

brethren  believe  them  ? 
How  could  it  ever  be  true  as  Thomas  exclaimed 

'mid  these  doubtings : 

XIV. 

Now  is  done  our  work  of  faith, 
Can  it  be  that  Christ  o'er  death 
Triumphs  with  His  human  breath? 

Let  them  freely  say 
What  they  hope  or  what  they  fear  ! 
Binding  law  both  far  and  near 
Rules  supreme  o'er  grief  and  cheer, 

Night  is  never  day  ! 

When  the  human  body  dies, 

When  the  soul  from  matter  flies, 

When  the  form  beloved,  lies 

In  the  silent  tomb, 

Who  can  call  us  back  once  more, 

From  the  strange,  mysterious  shore, 

Where  the  gathered  souls  of  yore 

Live  beyond  earth's  gloom  ? 
25 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

Nay,  my  brethren,  do  not  grieve. 
I  can  ne'er  this  tale  believe. 
Reason  can  not  this  receive, 

Can  not  understand  ! 
In  the  Master's  pierced  side, 
Where  the  spear-thrust  entered  wide, 
In  those  palms  once  crucified, 

I  must  thrust  my  hand ! 


XV. 


Shades  of  the  evening  grew  on,  while  forth  to  a 

neighboring  village, 
T»wo  of  our  company  went,  to  seek  for  the  absent 

Salome, 
And  as  in  their  talk  by  the  way  they  communed 

with  each  other  and  wondered, 
A  pilgrim   they  passed  on   the   road,  a  wayfarer, 

mantled  and  hooded, 
Who,  joining  their   steps   toward   the   town,  thus 

spoke  with  a  tone  of  emotion  : 

26 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.  JOIIX. 


XVI. 

"Wherefore  this  saddened  gaze, 
And  why  this  gloom  when  all  around  is  bright? 
Walks  trouble  a  companion  with  you  on  life's  ways, 

Silent  and  dark  as  night  ?  " 

Then  Clopas  quick  replied, 
"  Art  thou  a  stranger  in  Jerusalem, 
And  know'st  thou  not  that  Jesus  Christ  hath  died  ? 

Would' st  thou  our  grief  condemn 

M  When  we  had  trusted  all 
Our  hidden  hopes  to  this,  the  Son  of  man, 
The  last  of  all  the  prophets ;  and  the  pall 

Grows  thick  o'er  every  plan? 

#  "  And  certain  women  brave, 

Have  thrilled  our  spirits  by  the  news  they  bring 
From  Joseph's  garden,  for  they  say  the  grave 
Contains  not  anything — 

*'  And  angels  guard  the  place. 

Moreover,  'tis  the  third  day,  and  we  know 

27 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST   J  OHM. 

He  whom  we  trusted,  told  us  face  to  face, 
Our  faith  to  sight  would  grow. 

"  And  yet  we  see  Him  riot, 
And  fears  come  in  and  rob  our  rising  breath. 
On  earth  there  does  not  seem  one  favored  spot 

Untenanted  by  death." 

Then  the  wayfarer  said  : 
"  O  fools  and  slow  of  heart  to  take  in  hand 
All  that  the  prophets  and  the  seers  of  old 

Have  told  you  :  understand 

The  purpose  of  the  Lord." 
And  then,  with  earnest  look  and  kindling  eye, 
The  stranger,  from  the  visions  of  God's  Word, 

Showed  them  why  Christ  must  die ! 

Then  on  the  shady  road 
Which  skirts  the  entrance  to  Emmaus'  slope, 
Reaching,  by  sunset's  hour,  their  plain  abode, 

Aroused  with  kindling  hope, 

They  pressed  their  guest  to  stay. 

"  Abide  with  us,  for  it  is  drawing  late, 

And  shadows  fall,"  they  said,  "  across  the  way  : 

Pass  not  our  humble  gate." 
28 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.  JOIIX. 

Twas  ere;  and  yet  'twas  dawn  ! 
Quick  as  a  flash  while  we  were  breaking  bread 
We  saw  the  living  face  we  thought  was  dead, 

And  Christ  was  gone! 


XVII. 

'Twas  night  and  the  city  was  still.     The  paschal 

moon  had  arisen, 
Silvering  the  turrets  and  walls  of  the  castles  and 

fortresses  grim, 
Light  on  the  temple  shone  and  the  shadows  were 

growing  tall ; 
In  the  evening  watch  could  be  heard  the  clatter 

of  horses'  hoofs, 
As  down  the  pavement  of  stones  some  lordly  Sen- 
ator, late 
To  the  feast  of  his  Roman  friends,  in  his  lumbering 

chariot  was  driven. 
The  cry  of  the  owl  so  shrill,  as  he  perched  in  the 

cedars  old, 

Or  the  call  of  some  vender  of  wares,  lost  in  the 

driver's  noise, 

29 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

As  he  hurried  his  mules  along,  broke   in  on  the 

stillness  of  night. 
'Twas  then  in  a  secret  room  the  eleven  disciples 

were  found, 
With  others  to  whom  the  reports  had  been  brought 

from  the  empty  grave, 
While  wonder  and  doubt  like  the  tide  ruled  their 

spirits  by  turns. 
Into  this  upper  room  suddenly  entered  the  brothers 
Who    from   Emmaus   had    come,   crowning   their 

hopes  with  the  tidings: 
°  Jesus  is  risen  indeed  !     Simon  hath  seen  Him 

alive  ! " 

'Twas  then,  while  with  rapture  we  stood,  scanning 
the  faces  of  friends, 

To  find  that  assurance  of  hope,  hidden   away  in 
our  breasts, 

Right  in  the  midst  of  the  group,  ere  we  could  know 
what  it  meant, 

Jesus  with  glory  appeared :    Jesus,  the  same  and 
yet  changed, 

Changed,  yet  our  Jesus  of  old,  breathing  out  bless- 
ings on  each, 

30 


THE    VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN. 

"Peace  to  your  spirits,"  He  said Why  need 

I  tell  you  the  rest  ? 
Tis  the  food  and  the  drink  of  the  soul !     Soon  I 

shall  see  Him  again; 
Soon  in  His  bosom  recline,  as  once  at  the  passover 

feast 
To  me  it  was  given  to  feel  the  heart-beats  of  Him 

who  has  gone ! 


XVIII. 

Thus  I've  told  again  the  story 
Of  the  Resurrection  morn, 

How,  from  out  the  clouds  of  darkness, 
Hope  for  man  from  God  was  born. 

Hold  this  faith,  then,  do  not  falter, 
Bear  the  trials  of  your  life, 

Peace  comes  after  struggle ;  after 
Death,  there  comes  eternal  life. 

Little  children,  keep  from  idols; 
Heed  my  faltering  words  to-day. 
3i 


THE   VOICE  OF  ST.   JOHN, 

This  is  God,  the  only  true  One. 
This  is  life,  the  only  way. 

God  is  true,  and  all  things  show  it. 

Let  your  lives  your  trueness  prove 
Can  you  doubt  on  Easter  morning, 

God  is  light  and  God  is  love? 


32 


THE  MIRAGE. 

"IT   DOTH    NOT   YET   4PPEAK   WHAT    WE    SHALL   BE." 

"Splendor!  Immensity!  Rapture!  Grand  words,  great  things:  a 
little  definite  happiness  would  be  more  to  the  purpose." — Madame  dg 
Gasparin. 

JN  the  mood  of  suspense  I  ask,  can  it  be  true, 
All  this  faith  which  we  cling  to  and  trust  in 
With  courage  and  joy?     Shall  I  tremblingly  rue 
In  the  future  unknown,  this  strong  certainty 
Steadying  my  hopes  here  on  earth  ?     For  I  am  so 

small, 
In  the  sweep  of  God's  planets;  so  tired  and  lone, 
In  the  rush  of  the  torrents  of  souls  !     Amid  all 
That  I  know  not,  nor  care  for,  nor  trust  in,  shall  I, 
Still  myself  as  I  am,  press  in  at  the  door 
That  moves  open  at  death  and  admits  me  to 
Splendor,  immensity,  rapture, — and  more 
Than  my  mind  can  conceive  of?     But  shall  this 
Be  I,  this  new,  wonderful  creature?     Methinks  I 

had  rather 

33 


THE  MIRAGE. 

Be  less  of  the  marvel,  effulgent  in  rainbows  of  bliss, 
And  more  of  the  man,  who  in  heaven  could  gather 
His  human  ones  round  Him  and  live  without  sin, 

as  He  was ! 
For  how  can  I  love  these  great  powers  and  angels, 
And  all  the  unknown  ones  who  surge  out  and  in 
From  the  worlds  that  I  never  have  dreamed  of? 

0  God,  is  it  thus  ?     Shall  I  lose  myself  there 

In  the  soul-dust  of  lives  which  are  numberless, 

depths 
Which  I  never  can  enter  ?    My  Father,  Oh  !  where 
Shall  I  rest  myself,  wearjcjd  and  staggered 
With  all  this  sublimity  ?     O  God,  is  there  not  by 
Thy  throne,  in  which  center  the  lines  of 
Creation's  far-reaching  expanse,  the  form  and  the 

eye 
Of  the  human  one,  tinging  eternity's  colorless  blank 
With  the  blood  drops  of  time,  and  making  in  space 
Unsubstantial  and  airy  with  cloud-fleece,  a  firm 
And  unchanging  reality,  where  I  can  place 
My  poor  wandering  feet  close  by  His  feet !     Yea, 

my  God, 

1  shall  see  Thee  through  Christ !     I  shall  cling  to 

that  Hand 

34 


THE  MIRAGE. 

Which  was  pierced  for  my  sins,  and  though  awed 
By  the  shining  of  infinite  light,  still  my  soul 
Shall  be  knit  to  the  human  in  Tesus  !     I  shall  stand 
Where  the  sinning  men  saved  stand  :  the  roll 
Of  the  worlds  ever  moving  around  me  :  the  flight 
Of  the  thronging  attendants  of  spirits,  the  life  of 
Eternity  dreaded,   unknown,    shall  awake    to  my 

sight, 
As  the  feverish  dreams  turn  to  joy  when  the  suf- 
ferer wakes  to  the  light. 


35 


WON   AND  WIDOWED. 

[In  a  village  in  Switzerland,  a  young  guide  on  his  way 
back  from  his  wedding,  met  a  party  of  tourists  who  were 
looking  for  a  guide  to  explore  a  glacier.  The  young 
bridegroom  left  his  bride  at  the  chalet  door  as  they  re- 
turned from  the  church,  and  went  as  he  was  in  his  gay, 
peasant  wedding  clothes,  the  bride  promising  to  keep  a 
light  in  his  window  until  he  should  return. 

The  guide  fell  through  a  ravine,  upon  a  glacier  bed, 
and  was  lost. 

The  widowed  wife  true  to  her  vows,  having  learned  that 
in  the  course  of  fifty  years,  the  glacier  would  emerge  from 
the  ravine,  waited  all  these  years,  and  after  watching  at 
the  mouth  of  the  ravine,  at  last  discovered  her  lost  hus- 
band frozen  in  the  ice,  fifty  years  after  his  wedding-day. 
She,  an  old  woman,  looked  once  again  on  the  marble  face 
of  her  youthful  husband,  and  conducted  his  body  to  the 
village  church,  where  the  funeral  service  was  held,  fifty 
years  after  the  wedding-day]. 


SAID  Margaret :  "  At  last  he  is  mine, 
old  on  his  glacier-bed — 
My  husband  has  come  to  these  arms, 

My  Ernest  has  come  to  the  light, 
36 


WON  AND   WIDOWED. 

Out  from  the  robber  ravine 

Which  snatched  my  darling  aw 

While  I  in  this  death-watch  of  years,  ■ 

The  flickering  taper  have  burned 

In  the  chalet  window  each  night, 

Waiting  in  vain  for  a  step 

\  gain  to  be  heard, 

)king  in  vain  for  a  face 

Never  again  to  be  seen. 

Until  now.     Oh  !  the  strife  of  these  years. 

He  so  young  and  so  fair — 

Clad  in  his  gay  Tyrolese ; 

Silent  and  cold  on  his  bed — 

I  so  haggard  and  old — 

Wrecked,  and  thwarted,  and  cursed 

In  the  throw  of  my  chance  for  life, 

Maddened  and  torn  from  my  love, 

Ere  the  breath  of  his  kiss  was  cold, 

As  he  touched  my  trembling  lips 

At  the  chancel-rail — while  the  priest, 

Hid  by  the  incense  smoke, 

Knelt  at  the  altar  step, 

Have  met — at  the  jaws  of  this  cave, 

Spanning  a  widowed  life — 

Hiding  a  buried  love  ! 
37 


WON  AND    WIDOWED. 

"  One  more  kiss  on  that  marble  face, 
One  look  more  at  the  darling  boy, 
He  is  mine;  rob  me  not  of  my  right  : 
For  this  moment  my  heart  has  beat  on 
The  goal  of  my  living — is  this. 
While  others  have  hated,  and  loved, 
Have  squandered,  and  striven,  and  toiled, 
Have  begotten,  have  buried,  have  wed, 
Noiselessly  I  have  lived  on — 
With  the  slowness  of  Fate  I  have  moved, 
Towards  this  day,  while  the  glacier-bed 
Has  slowly  moved  onward  to  me  ! 

u  Oh  !  loved  soul,  in  what  world 
Are  hidden  the  thoughts  of  thy  love, 
Those  heart-throbs  pent-up  for  thy  wife 
Widowed  and  weary  for  thee  ? 
By  what  stream,  by  what  meadow  of  bliss 
Shall  our  love,  rudely  rent  by  the  storm, 
The  snowdrift  has  piled  in  our  path, 
Be  woven  to  oneness  again — 
Be  made  to  the  pattern  of  yore  ? 

"  Lead  on,  up  the  rugged  defile, 

Towards  the  church  on  the  grassy  slope, 
33 


WON  AXD   WIDOWED. 

Where  man  and  wife  we  came  down, 
When  the  call  for  a  guide  he  heard. 
Gray-haired  matron,  alone 
Following  the  love  of  her  youth, 
Mourner  and  dead  we  return  ! 

-  but  yesterday  seen  in  my  dreams, 
'Tis  eternity  lived  by  a  child, 
Orphaned,  and  stricken,  and  sad, 
Ready  to  die  any  hour — 
But  waiting  to  see  once  again 
'I  he  face  of  my  lover  of  old, 
To  whom  my  young  soul  had  been  given  ! 


39 


THE   SPHYNX. 

©H,  Time  !     How  strange  thou  art ! 
Thou  hoary-headed  king,  with  ages  gray  ; 
How  thou  dost  trifle  with  each  hopeful  heart 
In  wanton  play  ! 

Oh,  thou  imperious  lord  ; 

Thy  sway  is   boundless,    and    thy  stern  com- 
mand : 
Each  gordian  knot  is  cut  as  with  a  sword 
From  thy  great  hand  ! 

The  cradle  and  the  tomb 

By  thee  are  joined  in  life — a  year,  a  day  ; 
'Tis  when  the  flowers  of  earth  are  in  their  bloom 
That  they  decay. 

Speak,  wintry  Time  : — Oh  !  why 

Should  life  be  chained  by  iron  links  to  death  ; 

Why  should  the  new-born  child  begin  to  die 

With  his  first  breath  ? 
40 


THE  SPIIYXX. 

The  pyramids  declare 

The  truth  that  life  is  short,  and  art  is  long  ; 
Where  are  the  hands  that  reared  them,  where,  oh  ! 
wh 

That  countless  throng? 

High  o'er  the  buried  dead, 

Tike  mountain  walls  that  echo  with  the  strife; 
We  hear  the  solemn,  never-ending  tread 
Of  death  and  life  ! 

The  Roman  hero's  arch, 

The  ruined  domes  and  columns,  so  sublime, 
Point,  like  the  fabled  causeway,  to  the  march 
Of  giant  Time  ! 

Oh  !  what  a  mockery  this ! 

There  was  an  Eden  once,  but  at  the  gate 
Despair  stood  waiting  side  by  side  with  bliss; 
And  still  they  wait ! 

Tell  me,  ye  sentinels — why 

Must  man  with  his  proud  hopes  be  crushed  for- 
ever ? 
Why  from  unfinished  matter  do  ye  try 

The  mind  to  sever  ? 
41 


THE  SPHYNX. 


The  answer  comes  not  now  : 

The  silent  stars  above — the  eddying  sand, 
Move  round  some  law — to  which  all  creatures  bow 
And  nature  shows  her  hand — 

Remorseless,  ruling  all, 

A  Sphynx  upon  her  lasting  granite  throne 
Yet  voices  speak  within — and  spirits  call 
Souls  whom  the  spirits  own. 


42 


THE    ISLAND    LIFE. 

M  He  that  kecpeth  thee  will  not  slumber." 

Vw^  island  in  the  sea  of  space, 
We  walk  upon  the  shifting  shore; 
We  hear  the  ocean's  ceaseless  roar, 

And  see  its  waves  our  steps  deface. 

We  hurry  on — we  soon  are  gone; 
We  scan  the  undiscovered  main — 
That  ocean  all  unknown — in  vain, 

While  still  the  tide  is  hurrying  on  ! 

We  are  but  in  our  school-days  here, 
With  faculties  all  dwarfed  and  blunted ; 
Our  highest  growth  of  reason  stunted? 

When  midway  in  its  proud  career. 

A  half  a  century  is  man's, 

A  thousand  years  is  Nature's  time ; 

Which  in  this  strange,  uneven  clime 

Is  needed  to  complete  their  plans! 
43 


THE  ISLAND  LIFE. 

But  when  immortal  we  shall  rise, 
To  study  from  the  Master's  hand, 
And  with  the  angels  understand 

What  now  is  hidden  from  our  eyes — 

'Twill  be  an  ever-growing  bliss 
To  watch  the  planets  on  their  way, 
With  suns  and  systems,  and  to  say : 
"  Far  back  on  earth  I  knew  of  this  !  ' 

The  tablets  of  our  memory 
Will  shine  like  plates  of  burnished  steel ; 
What  now  is  lost,  they  will  reveal, 

And  what  we  know  not,  we  shall  see ! 

Yes,  we  on  earth  can  fit  the  mind 
For  higher  pleasures  yet  to  come — 
When  through  the  worlds  of  space  we  roam, 

And  ever-hidden  wonders  find. 

Thus  God  has  said,  "  Let  there  be  light"  ; 

And  what  in  earth's  dark  caves  was  made 

The  sooty  carbon,  has  obeyed 

His  voice,  and  is  the  diamond  bright. 
44 


THE  ISLAND  LIFE. 

Light — light  is  breaking  out,  and  lo  ! 
The  problem  now  is  solved ;  for  death, 
That  darkened  cloud,  as  with  one  breath, 

Is  scattered  ! — and  the  rest,  we  know  ! 

Then,  courage  for  the  field  of  strife  ! 
The  trumpet's  call  to  arms  we  hear; 
Arouse  !  awake  !  oh,  never  fear 

The  conflict  and  the  din  of  life  ! 


45 


REASSURANCE. 

"And   this   is   the   victory   that   overcometh   the   world,   even   our 
faith." — i  John  v.  4. 

4  S  there  a  victory  then 

3        Over  our  doubts  and  our  fears  ? 

Is  there  a  passage  for  men 

Out  of  this  valley  of  tears? 
For  men  who  are  weary  and  worn, 

Broken,  desponding,  and  sad  ? 
Is  there  Christ's  smile  for  earth's  scorn, 

Making  the  sorrowful  glad  ? 

Is  there  a  joy  for  our  trust, 

A  hope  and  assurance  of  peace  ? 

Is  there  a  time  when  our  doubts 

And  temptations  forever  shall  cease  ? 

Is  there  a  morning  of  light  ? 
A  Sabbath  of  quiet  and  rest  ? 

When  the  end  of  the  journey  is  reached, 

And  the  crown  of  rejoicing  possessed? 
*6  ' 


REASSURANCE. 

Yes !     For  at  last  we  shall  find 

The  Way,  and  the  Truth,  and  the  Life, 
In  our  Lord,  as  the  end  of  our  search, 

In  Christ,  as  the  goal  of  the  strife. 
Doubt,  and  temptation,  and  sin, 

And  the  struggles  we  wage  while  we  roam  ; 
Will  be  hushed,  in  the  past,  and  life's  din 

Be  forgotten  when  resting  at  home. 

So  there's  a  victory  then 

Over  our  doubts  and  our  fears; 
Faith  shall  forever  give  way 

To  the  knowledge  which  cometh  with  years  ! 
A  knowledge  of  hope  changed  to  sight, 

Of  trust  to  fruition  made  plain  ; 
A  life  where  the  will  and  the  power 

To  love  as  Christ  loveth  shall  reign. 


47 


CREED  AND    HOPE. 

1      ORD,  when,  oh  when  shall  we  begin  to  see 
■^     Each  particle  of  jangled,  warring  truth 
Forever  lost  and  reconciled  in  Thee  ? 

Is  not  the  other  life  perpetual  youth 
With  mind  unfolding,  always  sunned  upon 

By  Him  who  lighted  every  sense  even  here  ? 
Oh !  wilt  Thou  not  shine  ever  on,  and  on, 

Till  in  our  littleness  we're  brought  so  near 
Thy  free  life-giving  self,  that  every  shell 

Shall  burst  its  bands  and  cerements  and  fly  out 
Into  Thy  infinite  sea-room  where  no  spell 

Palsied  with  death  shall  seize  upon  the  doubt 
Of  him  who  would  believe  and  know  !    Oh,  free 

Our  wearied  minds,  dear  Lord,  at  last  in  Thee. 


48 


CHRISTMAS   CAROL. 

IONG  ago,  in  solemn  midnight, 
■^      Shepherds  watched  upon  the  plain, 
When  a  band  of  holy  angels 

Sang  the  earliest  Christmas  strain. 

Chorus. 

Hallelujah !     Hallelujah ! 
Glory  be  to  God  on  high ! 

Gently  flowed  the  silent  waters 

In  the  stillness  of  the  night, 
And  the  glittering  stars  in  heaven 

Shone  with  pure  and  silvery  light. 

Chorus. 

Heaven  is  opened,  all  its  glory 

Bursts  across  the  eastern  sky, 
For  the  harmony  of  seraphs 

Tells  that  Christ,  the  Lord,  is  nigh. 

Chorus. 

49 


CHRISTMAS  CAROL. 

Now  the  golden  gates  are  open, 
Enter  ye,  who  love  the  Lord ; 

For  the  Saviour's  love  hath  triumphed, 
As  He  promised  in  His  Word. 

Chorus. 

Join  the  angels  in  their  chorus, 
Praise  the  Lord,  who  came  to  die; 

Praises,  in  the  highest,  praises; 
Glory  be  to  God  on  high ! 

Chorus. 


CHRISTMAS   CAROL. 


w 


HO  is  this  in  Bethlehem's  town, 
Brings  the  holy  angels  down — 
Shepherds  too,  and  wise  men  bow, 
Son  of  God,  'tis  Thou  !  'tis  Thou  ! 

In  the  temple,  who  is  He, 
Aged  Simeon  longs  to  see? 
Happy  saint,  he  pays  his  vow, 
Son  of  God,  'tis  Thou  !   'tis  Thou  ! 

Who  is  He  in  yonder  cot, 
Bending  to  His  toilesome  lot, 
Veiled  in  flesh  we  know  Thee  now, 
Son  of  man,  'tis  Thou  !  'tis  Thou  ! 

Sing  we  then  with  heart  and  voice, 

While  the  sons  of  men  rejoice, 

While  heaven's  glory  crowns  Thy  brow. 

Son  of  God,  'tis  Thou  !  'tis  Thou  ! 
5i 


CHRISTMAS  CAROL. 

Hail  the  Saviour,  praise  Him  then, 
Heaven's  own  richest  gift  to  men, 
Son  of  God — of  man,  'tis  Thou 
We  would  ever  praise  as  now. 


52 


